Find out how popular the last name Ottenheimer is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Ottenheimer.

Ottenheimer, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Ottenheimer surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Ottenheimer in America

Ottenheimer is the 149328th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Ottenheimer surname appeared 101 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Ottenheimer.

The history of the last name Ottenheimer

The surname Ottenheimer has its origins in Germany, with roots tracing back to the medieval period, approximately the 12th or 13th century. The name is a toponymic surname, meaning it is derived from a geographic location. This suggests that the original bearers of the surname likely hailed from a place named Ottenheim. Ottenheim itself likely derives from the Old High German personal name Otso or Otto, combined with the suffix -heim, meaning home or settlement. Thus, Ottenheimer can be interpreted as "the one from Otten's home."

Historical references to the surname Ottenheimer can be found in various medieval records in Germany. For instance, manuscripts from the 14th century mention a Johann Ottenheimer, indicating that the name was already in use by then. Place names like Ottenheim are documented even earlier and are associated with settlements in regions such as Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.

The earliest recorded examples of the name include Heinrich Ottenheimer, who appears in Bavarian tax records from 1337. Another historical figure is Anna Ottenheimer, who lived in the late 15th century and was noted in church records in the city of Freiburg. These early records help establish the surname's presence in southern Germany during medieval times.

During the 18th century, a notable family bearing the surname Ottenheimer emerged. For instance, Friedrich Ottenheimer, born in 1723, became a prominent merchant in the Rhineland. His descendants continued to play significant roles in local commerce and civic affairs. Another important figure is Karl Ottenheimer, an academic and author born in 1799, who contributed to early studies in German literature and history before his death in 1865.

Julius Ottenheimer, born in 1834, was a notable 19th-century German banker and philanthropist associated with the Jewish community. He played a significant role in funding educational and cultural institutions until his death in 1908. The end of the 19th century also saw the name spread beyond Germany, particularly to the United States. Julius’s contributions to societal progress mirrored those of other members of the Ottenheimer lineage in fields such as academics, commerce, and public service.

The surname Ottenheimer, with its rich historical background and geographical origins, thus encapsulates a significant segment of German cultural and genealogical history. Each recorded individual with this surname provides a vital link to understanding the name's evolution and enduring legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Ottenheimer

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Ottenheimer.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Ottenheimer was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Ottenheimer was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Ottenheimer, please contact us.

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